Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-07-09
rHx oPru1r HABIT.

THE OPTUM HAHxx
something About its Prevalence In New
York City.
New York, July 4-The recent highly
sensational divorce case of Mrs. Grace
Brotherton Deems, q daughter of wealthy
banker, against her husband, Frank Deems,
son Of the Rev. Dr.. Deems, of the Church
of the Strangers, has caused the iveliest sur
prise in ell grades of society. Both husband
and wife have been reared In pious homes,
and both are well educated, refined and in
telligent. The letters of Mrs. Deems, which
were produced IN court, revealed woman
of remarkably clear mind and of consider
able force of character. Both, however, are
undoubtedly opium fends, and it is this dis
covery that has go greatly astonished nearly
every one.
But there is no reason why it should.
The records of the police courts, the books
Of private physicians show that the drug
habit-the use Of morphine, opium and
even cocoine-has spread very greatly with
in the last few years. The fact that it's VIC
Tins are to be found mainly among the rich
and educated explains why its prevalence
has not been more widely known. Nearly
every druggist or physician in the fashion
able quarters can tell of many patients who
are slaves to opium. The former IL perhaps
tho best authority, for tho confirmed opium
eater writes his own prescription and knows
he can buy all he wants without applying to
Q doctor.
Two months ago another prominent case,
where both husband and wife were the VIC
TINS, attracted public attention. The Rev.
Francis Gerry Fairfield, a minister, journal
list and physician, q man of good family and
remarkable talent, died in tenth-rate hotel
on Third avenue from the effects of opium.
His wife, Josephine Griswold Fairfield, q
daughter of Judge Griswold, once an infu-
ential New Yorker and member of the
New York bench, died week previous to
not been for Mr.. FairchiId's brother, we'll
TODD lawyer, husband and wife would prob
ably have been buried in paupers' graves.
During the middle of last month I had
occasion to visit the jefferson Market Police
court. arrived there just as the presiding
Justice Murray, left his bench
and walked into his private examination
room. followed him.
In the room were three persons besides
the court officers. Two of these were wo-
men, and both were dressed in black and
drew aside their wells. The elder of the two
was lady about 30 years of age, with re-
delicate and refined features on
which rested sad and melancholy express
sion. She was laboring under great emotion
and at times could hardly repress her tears.
Her companion, who was at least twenty
five years her junior, resembled her some
what in appearance, but there was an indefin-
ite something about her that marred the
beauty of her face and at times made it al
most repulsive.
The third person was man of middle age,
well built and of a serious cast of counte-
nance. One popularity 1 could not help
noticing. He could not keep his gaze fixed
upon anything, and moved about uneasily in
his chair when he saw that he was being OBJ
served.
81 see, Mrs. Francesca" observed Justice
Murray, nodding to the elder lady, "that you
charge Mrs. Hale, your daughter, with being
addicted to the use of morphine and opium,
and with being habitually intoxicated"
eyes," replied the lady, while tears rolled
lown her cheeks. 81 am forced to take This
Itep to save her from utter depreciation. She
md her husband" pointing to the man seated
beside her, "have for years been addicted to
he opium habit. he has several times been
confined in asylums and discharged as cured,
,nly to sink back again into his old habits.
NheE they are together they are worse than
Vhen they are separate. She is now in a
erribe condition, and we desire to place her
n private asylum at Amityville, where she
an be taken care Of"
Up to this time the young woman had re-
NAMED in apparent lethargy, and had not
etrayed the slightest emotion, while the !
low, however, as though suddenly realizing
er situation, she jumped from her chair
nd shrieked in most piercing tonesi
tits you, you that have brought me to !
his, ," she cried, pointing to her husband, |
no shrank away cowed and frightened. |
You taught me it; you got me into the hab- |
)" she continued fiercely.
It was sad scene, and the poor old lady |
ept bitterly. The young woman had to be |
9moved by force, and later in the day was |
ken to private asylum.
It seems that she had no grounds for &C
using her husband of forcing the habit up |
q her. The fault lay with her physician,
no had prescribed morphine for her during
long and serious illness. When she recov- I
red the habit had been formed and she was |
OF strong enough to resist it. Her husband |
ontracted the disease from her.
This is frequently the origin. Taken per
orce during sickness, the drug holds the
ictim relentlessly in its power. Unfortu-
ately, not all physicians are as. careful in
rescri bing it as they should be.
washington's Betting Mania.
WASHINGTON, July ALTHOUGH there are
o races in progress in Washington at this
sason of the year, the sports at the capital
ave every opportunity to risk their money
n their favorite flyers, and there are thous-
nds of dollars put up on the Sheepshead
ay, Lexington and other meetings every
ay in the week. Washington has number
very successful pool rooms where the de-
clerk the official and tha stray